I've just read a comment that this Website is mostly about Italy. Well, Italy does have more posts than any other topic, but the rest of the world is represented - somewhat. However, I have been struck by how limited, geographically, the discussions are for places in North America. So I'd like to invite the members of this community to get to know and enjoy the place where we have been spending the past 35 summers and living full-time since last October: the mountains of Northwest North Carolina and the surrounding area.

Now, some of you are familiar with Asheville, and I love Asheville, which is 100 miles to the south; there is more to the mountains, though, than this well-known community. Not only is the scenery beautiful and the weather pleasant (cooler than just about any other place on the East Coast south of Maine), but there is an amazing amount of cultural activities and events in the Boone/Blowing Rock/Banner Elk area. In addition, we are very close to the Appalachian Trail, and there are many other hiking trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway and on Grandfather Mountain.

And, guess what? We are only about 30-45 minutes away from the major wine-growing area of North Carolina - the Yadkin Valley. Yes, that's right! The number of wineries in NC has grown from about 5 in 1999 to about 60 today, as a recent article in "USAToday" described. We've been to about a half-dozen of the wineries so far, and the wine is amazingly good. It's a real phenomenon.

Some inns and hotels further east, as in Winston-Salem, offer "wine packages," a la Sonoma and Napa, but I'd recommend someone staying at one of the many delightful B&Bs in the "High Country," especially the Mast Farm Inn in Valle Crucis, which has won many awards. (I can't write a review since I've never stayed there, only eaten at their wonderful restaurant.)

If you are interested, I'd be glad to try to answer any questions you might have about this area.

Ann (sitting in my mountain retreat)

Hi Ann,

Thanks for this great post. You are not too far from us, and I agree with you about this wonderful part of the USA.

We spent a weekend in Blowing Rock a couple of years ago. We visited Grandfather Mountain and the Blowing Rock and the original Mast General Store. On that Sunday we drove down the Blue Ridge Parkway to Asheville... just a beautiful drive.

Your message makes me realize that this is somewhere in my own backyard that I want to visit again--

Kathy

Hey Ann -

I spent several weeks hiking in the Smokies and beyond on the Trail when I was in my 20s. What an amazing region. Your post reminded me of how beautiful the area is.

Just a few years ago I went to Asheville with 3 girlfriends for an extended weekend, and thoroughly enjoyed the town, and the Grove Park Inn and Spa. Life is slower and more connected with nature in NW North Carolina, IMO.

Why don't you consider writing some notes up about the area, or even posting some photos, if possible?

Thanks for the thread.

Terry

North Carolina has actually been on one of my top places to visit in the U.S. for a few years now. It sounds absolutely beautiful. Thanks for the reminder! I will definitely keep it on top of my list and hopefully get there one day soon!

Hi,

My son went to school in Boone for 4 years at ASU. We loved visiting there and managed to try out every season. Boone is a sweet little town!

jan

Hi, I will be traveling to Nc on Dec.27 for a week. I'll be traveling with my husband and 3 kids. We will fly into Charlotte. I would love any info and tips you can give me!! I am planning to drive from Charlotte to Chimney Rock, than spend the first night in Asheville and Drive over to Boone the next day. Which Ski Resort would be the best for the kids? What other attractions would you suggest for this time of year

The big thing to keep in mind for that time of year is the weather and its effect on roads. In good weather, we like to travel between Boone and Asheville via the Blue Ridge Parkway, but whole stretches of the Parkway will probably be closed then. Some alternate routes, such as US19E or 221 (from I-40) may not be much better. You have to stay in touch with the latest news on road conditions. There are some circuitous and longer routes, such as via Interstates 26 or 77 (north) which may be the best choices, but you'll just have to wait and see. Remember, you'll be traveling into and through the mountains!

I don't ski, so I can't give you specific recommendations regarding ski resorts. Ski Beech is the biggest and probably the best for kids. I can ask around and post again. Check out this Website, though, for more thorough information:
http://www.mountaintimes.com/skiing/index.php3.
There are other sections of the MT site that provide all kinds of travel information.

However, I can make this suggestion: You don't have to stay at a particular ski resort. There are a number of motels (and B&Bs), many of them new, in the Boone/Blowing Rock/Banner Elk areas. If you stayed at one of them, you would have your choice of going to different slopes on different days, and it would also make it easier to get around to other places. Consult this site also for places to stay and things to do:
http://highcountryhost.com/

Some attractions, such as the Tweetsie Railroad, will be closed during the winter. However, others will be open, weather permitting of course. We enjoy driving along the BR Parkway at any time of year, and parts of it in the "High Country" should be open. Also, Grandfather Mountain stays open (when it can). Here is their site, which is very good:
http://www.grandfather.com/.

I hope this helps. Write again if you have more questions. I'll try to respond.

Ann

Well we use to live in Winston-Salem,NC back in the 1970's till 1986. We moved back to upstate NY but travel there quite often, since my wife's family still lives there. They are orginally from upstate NY also, We have often thought about moving back. There are many nice places for any traveler to see, including the Biltmore mansion, in Ashville.

Thank you for the replies. I have been a little worried about the driving conditions. i really hope to see some portions of the BR Parkway. We will be staying in a hotel in Boone, so we will probably visit a few ski areas. That Mountain times website is great. Any others that may help?

Other than the websites listed above (High Country Host and G'father Mt.), there's this one for Boone, which isn't as good as the Mountain Times, but is more compact for easy reference:
http://ncnet.com/ncnw/bne-intr.html

I'm glad you've made hotel reservations. I forgot to caution you that early reservations are a necessity at that time of year, especially during school break.

And, if you want to check on weather conditions, Ray is the local guru:
http://www.booneweather.com/

You can e-mail me (see my profile) if you have any other specific questions. I hope you have some good weather then, but enough cold and snow for decent skiing.

Ann